Ridge in rifle chamber

[northwoodneil]

I recently purchased a Winchester 1885 in 32-40. It had the barrel relined and looks like a professional job. Upon trying to chamber a round they fit really tight and didn't want to extract. I coated the cartridge with Dykem and when a shell was chambered and knocked out of the chamber it has a bright ring 1/4 inch from the rim. The Dykem left a corresponding ring in the chamber. The ridge is maybe a few thou. high. It's like who ever chambered the rifle had a chip in their reamer. Can I lap that out with an abrasive (like valve compound) coated empty casing (cut off just past the ridge so I won't mess with the rest of the chamber) or do I have to rent a reamer?

[405grain]

The standard procedure would be to set the barrel back and clean up the chamber with a reamer. Probably your best bet would be to send a PM to John Taylor. He's a professional gunsmith, and could make recommendations rather than speculations.

[uscra112]

What you describe could be lapped out, or run an undamaged reamer into it to clean up that ridge. I'd opt for the reamer, but renting one is spendy.

[M-Tecs]

An undamaged reamer would be my first choice. A close second would be this style hone. https://www.brownells.com/tools-clea...10080302008005

[northwoodneil]

I thought of a hone but with the ridge so near the breech I figured I might be working parts of the chamber that I don't want to. With my home made lap cut off just forward of the ridge and the rim of the case removed (so I don't deepen the rim recess) I'll only be working the area of the ridge. Neil

[M-Tecs]

It's possible that the liner was chambered before installation and the ridge is a result of that.

[northwoodneil]

I forgot to say the ridge is only about 1/16" in length and just high enough that the cartridge wants to stop about 1/8" from battery. Without layout fluid on it you can't see or feel it. No "dent" in the brass.

[stubshaft]

I'd send it back to the person who worked on it! You could pour a lap and use some NECO 600 grit lapping compound to smoothe it out.

[Winger Ed.]

Is it new ammo, or a reload?

If you're using new factory ammo-- it's the barrel.
If its a reload, the cases might not be sized down far enough.

[john.k]

Ive sleeved DP barrels with drill holes.......always have to lap the joint between the sleeve and the original chamber ...........the very real risk with a reamer is that it will be different from the original chamber,and will leave a step or ridge at the shoulder or neck region. I know a 32/40 is just a straight taper and a neck ,but Id think the risk is still there.

[northwoodneil]

Factory ammo (LoadX) or reloads react the same.

[waksupi]

Sounds like the brass needs more sizing.

[northwoodneil]

Lapping worked for me. It's hard to believe how long it takes to remove a couple thousandths of steel with lapping compound. The brass lap went away pretty fast though. Thanks all. Neil

[jdsingleshot]

Very glad you took the simple direct approach. When asking for advice online, one always gets a range of advice from the sublime to the ridiculous.

[GregLaROCHE]

I would take it to a gunsmith who has the correct reamer. Otherwise, if you feel qualified, you could rent a reamer and do it yourself. Yes you could probably lap it, but a reamer would be best.

[truckjohn]

Be very careful of trying to "lap" it out at home. There is a much greater risk of messing up the geometry even worse. The last thing you want to do is fish-bowl the chamber even worse than it is.

I triple the motion of contacting a good gunsmith who sleeves barrels to fix it up properly.